Terpenes on the MCAT?

[monkeyMD]

While studying out of the BR Organic Chem book, I noticed that there is a lot of detailed information about terpenes in section 4. How necessary is it to know terpenes for the mcat??

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[RogueUnicorn]

terpenes imo are not within the scope of the mcat, as it falls under alkene chemistry

 

[Isoprop]

Got a terpene passage on my actual mcat. Surprised b/c there was supposedly no alkene chemistry.

Then after I read the questions, I realized that you didn't need to know alkene chemistry to answer the questions.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

Got a terpene passage on my actual mcat. Surprised b/c there was supposedly no alkene chemistry.

Then after I read the questions, I realized that you didn't need to know alkene chemistry to answer the questions.

Exactly!!! They are definitiely a tested topic, but in terms of structure and biology, not alkene reactivity.

Terpenes should be understood as a class of compounds. Know the 5, 10, 15, etc... rule and the connectivity. Know that they are UV active because of their pi-bonds and that they can undergo coupling reactions.